Official: Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging

<div><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="120" src="http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4121/11x07010656.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" width="360" /></div><br/><em>Reuters</em> is reporting a bit of board room activity in Japan this morning, which could, by the end of today, result in Ricoh purchasing the Pentax brand and camera business from current owner and proprietor Hoya Corporation. The global news agency points out that Hoya's initial acquisition of Pentax, back in 2007, was primarily motivated by its eagerness to acquire Pentax's medical technology, and although the company's had a slew of strong products since then, it probably makes sense for Hoya to pass the digicam work on to someone who might feel more invested in it. For its part, Ricoh also has a well respected line of digital compacts, but lacks the DSLR lineage and experience that Pentax brings. Provided this deal goes through as rumored, and <em>Reuters</em> has three sources who say it's imminent, the only question we've got to ponder is whether the Pentax naming will take over for Ricoh's slightly less recognizable branding or vice versa.<br/><br/><strong>Update:</strong> That was quick! Hoya has confirmed the sale. Thanks, Ben! It is as reported earlier: Hoya will hang on to the rights to manufacture and develop products for the medical field, while Ricoh is gobbling up the Pentax Imaging Systems products with a view to expanding its presence in the consumer digital camera market.

Official: Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging

Reuters is reporting a bit of board room activity in Japan this morning, which could, by the end of today, result in Ricoh purchasing the P...

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Pentax NC-1 spotted in leaked photo

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Camera%20Rumours/Pentax_mirrorless_camera_Pentax_NC_system-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P>A leaked photo appears to show a Pentax mirrorless camera – the Pentax NC-1 – and two lenses, according to a <a href="http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/hot-first-pictures-of-the-pentax-nc-mirrorless-system/">new report</A>.</P><br /><P>Sources have given the Mirrorless Rumors website images of the Pentax NC-1 mirrorless system camera, along with pictures of 8.5mm f/1.9 and 5-15mm f/2.8-4.5 lenses.</P><br /><P>Mirrorless Rumors claims the Pentax NC-1 specs will boast a 14-megapixel 5.6x crop sensor and HD video recording.</P><br /><P>The Pentax NC-1 will be one of two mirrorless systems said to be developed by Pentax – the other Pentax camera boasting a larger APS-C sensor and compatible with K-mount lenses. </P><br /><P>It is understood that the Pentax NC mirrorless system will be announced in May or June, while the other Pentax camera release date remains unclear.</P><br /><P>Earlier this month our colleagues at <a href="about:www.photoradar.com">PhotoRadar</A> reported that a source close to the company said Pentax had noted the success of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and was considering its own entry into the market. </P><br /><P>However, the source denied rumours that a <a href="http://www.photoradar.com/news/story/pentax-to-release-mirrorless-camera">Pentax mirrorless camera</A> would be announced this spring.</P><br /><P>Image via <a href="about:www.mirrorlessrumors.com">Mirrorless Rumors</A></P>

Pentax NC-1 spotted in leaked photo

A leaked photo appears to show a Pentax mirrorless camera – the Pentax NC-1 – and two lenses, according to a new report . Sources have given...

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Review: Pentax K-5

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5%203-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Pentax is by no means the most prolific DSLR manufacturer, and quite how it plays its hand is not always predictable. Nevertheless, following the announcement of the mid-range K-r and confirmation of the long-awaited 645D medium format model, it seemed clear that it would soon turn its attention to something between the two, either as a replacement for or a sibling to the warmly-received <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs/pentax-k-7-609964/review">Pentax K-7</A>.</P><br /><P>The K-5 is just that, positioned above the K-7, and when you compare the Pentax K-5 vs K-7 there are a number of revisions to to the K-5's feature set to justify its arrival. Pentax has devoted equal measure of attention to both major and minor improvements, with a new sensor and focusing system among the headlines, and a multitude of smaller customisations and refinements previously bestowed upon its other recent models.</P><br /><P>The model comes at a time when a number of other manufacturers are updating their own lines with likely competitors, notably Olympus with its E-5 (read our Olympus E5 Review: first impressions), Canon with the EOS 60D (read our Canon 60D Review) and Nikon with the D7000 (read our Nikon D7000 Review). </P><br /><P>When you look at the K-5 vs D7000, K-5 vs 60D and K-5 vs E5, all three offer something different, but the Pentax K-5 can comfortably list a number of features which arguably make it the most intriguing of the group.</P><br /><P><img alt="Pentax k-5" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5%205-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>One area in which Pentax has largely left things as they were is with design: the Pentax K-5 body externally remains very similar to the existing Pentax K-7 body. You have to look closely for any changes, although the K-5 exposure mode dial is noticeably taller which helps in its turning. </P><br /><P>The body is constructed from a durable magnesium alloy, and has been sealed against dust and water incursion around all vulnerable points. It's perhaps lighter and smaller than its specifications may suggest, but the benefit of this is that it presents no problem when carried around for prolonged periods of time, even with the moderate heft of a wide-aperture zoom lens.</P><br /><P>The handling areas around the grip and thumb-rest do away with some of the more intricate contouring seen on other models, and instead focus on simply providing enough room for users with any size of hand to get enough purchase. </P><br /><P>Although there's plenty of space around the back for the thumb to sit comfortably, this hasn't come to the detriment of button and control spacing. In fact, it's hard to imagine how better the controls could be either arranged or labeled, although the menu button sitting towards the bottom isn't something that will please everyone.</P><br /><P>The functions within the menu system itself are sensibly organised in order of importance, and Pentax has opted for a scrolling display of longer-named functions in place of any mysterious abbreviations. </P><br /><P>All of this is assisted by three different displays which alternate upon presses of the Info button, namely a status screen which consists of all major settings in use; a control panel where changes may be made to these settings; and an airplane-style electronic level display which offers indicators for both roll and tilt.</P><br /><P>Sadly, a handful of quirks do stand in the way of quick and easy access to certain settings. The collar underneath the mode dial, for example, which is used for switching between metering modes, is conveniently placed for quick manual adjustment, although its stiffness together with the shallow lever by which it is operated make such a simple task a touch trickier than it should be. </P><br /><P>Similarly, it's puzzling as to why the microphone port is covered with an integrated rubber plug, while the screw-in cover on the flash-sync socket is not just separate from the camera, but so small and awkward to remove that it makes it very easy to lose.</P><br /><P><img alt="Pentax k-5" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5%202-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The Pentax K-5 improves upon the K-7's burst speed, increasing the latter camera's 5.2fps rate to 7fps, although there was some concern upon the model's announcement that the raw burst depth was limited to a disappointing eight frames at this pace. Thankfully this is no longer an issue, following a recent firmware update which boosts this figure to 20 frames at the maximum speed.</P><br /><P>While the K-7 has slightly unusual and non-standard video specifications, the Pentax K-5 refreshes the line up with full-HD 1920x1080 pixel recording at 25fps, and the other more standard 720p and VGA options. Audio recording is limited to mono via the on-board microphone, although a socket has been provided around the camera's side for external stereo recording. </P><br /><P>Where there's movie recording there's also live view, which allows for autofocus in three ways, either through face-detection or the more standard phase- and contrast-detect options.</P><br /><P>Using the contrast detection AF system during live view, and for focus prior to movie recording, the camera immediately zooms into the centre of the frame whenever the shutter release button is half-depressed, before quickly focusing and zooming back out again. </P><br /><P>While the speed at which this happens increases the live view system's usability in different situations, occasional mis-focuses and problems with finding focus mean it can't always be relied upon when lighting conditions aren't optimum. </P><br /><P>Nevertheless, in good light the system is accurate, speedy and more than convenient, and provides a preferable alternative to manually adjusting yourself (which, of course, is still possible).</P><br /><P>The vibrant green light which illuminates the top-plate LCD makes all exposure information contained within it easy to read, while the equally powerful AF assist light springs readily into action wherever the camera senses it could help achieve focus. </P><br /><P>The new SAFOX IX+ autofocus system inherits the eleven points of previous SAFOX modules, but these are spread over a wider area, and the most central nine are cross-type which makes them sensitive to both vertical and horizontal details. </P><br /><P>In comparison with SDM-equipped optics such as the DA* 16-50mm f/2.8, the 18-55mm kit lens with which the Pentax K-5 is available delivers a reasonable performance overall, focusing only marginally slower in good light and takes just a little more time to confirm focus, once it has reached a rough approximation. As may be expected, this is done with considerably more noise from the lens's motor, and there's decidedly less fluidity in its movement, too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Composition Adjustment Explained</STRONG></P><br /><P>The K-5 is one of a recent number of cameras to incorporate an electronic level for keeping horizons straight, but it also retains another one of the K-7's more interesting features, whereby the position of the sensor may be shifted to help with composition. </P><br /><P>The sensor may be moved up, down, left or right up, and even rotated slightly to fit with a straight line - such as a horizon - within a scene. For most situations the electronic level function should provide sufficient guidance here, although the Composition Adjustment feature is the preferable choice when using the camera in conjunction with a tripod, where particularly fine adjustments may be awkward to perform using a tripod head. </P><br /><P>For even speedier access it is also possible to assign the Composition Adjustment function to the Raw/Fx button. This feature is an extra benefit of the K-5's sensor-shifting Shake Reduction (SR) system which automatically moves the sensor to compensate for accidental camera movement that can blur images. Conveniently, the SR system works with any mountable lens.</P><br /><P><img alt="Pentax k-5" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5%206-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>By increasing the Pentax K-5 pixel count over the K-7, users are likely to be interested in the performance of the new sensor. At lower sensitivities images are detailed and clean, and only require a touch of sharpening to get them to their best.</P><br /><P>Though JPEG output from the camera is satisfactory, but it's clear that images with more intricate details are better handled by more careful noise reduction and sharpening using raw files as a starting point.</P><br /><P>Predictably, noise rises and image quality drops as sensitivity increases, but this happens at a steady pace with no obvious 'cut-off' point in terms of quality. The maximum ISO 51,200 setting is certainly ambitious, but even with the kind of noise it produces its results could potentially be fine for smaller prints, particularly after noise reduction. </P><br /><P>The only time its results surpass this level is when there's plenty of light, although realistically there's little reason why a sensitivity setting of ISO 51,200 would ever be called upon in such conditions.</P><br /><P>An interesting feature on the K-5 is that each separate sensitivity setting may be assigned a different level of noise reduction. One option is simply to increase this in line with sensitivity, which deals with the worst noise patterning, but tests performed using the three different levels of correction available suggest that this is perhaps better tailored specifically to the scene being shot rather than the to the sensitivity itself. </P><br /><P>It's clear that the effects of the Pentax K-5 noise reduction are dependent on the subject details and how well they have been lit, and better-illuminated scenes will tolerate a greater level of noise reduction before too much detail is compromised. In any case, it's more likely that for such critical work this option is likely to be bypassed in favour of raw post-production where more care and time may be taken.</P><br /><P>Although some Pentax DSLRs in the past had a tendency for slight underexposure in certain conditions, that doesn't appear to be the case with Pentax K-5 images. Even when faced with harsh backlighting, the 77-segment metering system is not swayed into underexposing the main subject, choosing instead to give a more even balance, even if it comes at the expense of highlight detail.</P><br /><P>Pentax's in-camera Lateral Chromatic Aberration Adjustment option removes the most obvious coloured fringes (but without completely eliminating them), while the Distortion Correction option available from the same menu is also effective, though the strength of its correction – which cannot be adjusted – proves to be a little overzealous at times, resulting in some unfortunate pincushion distortion. Both options add around two seconds of processing time per image, and so are perhaps best left deactivated until needed.</P><br /><P>One particular headache for any digital camera is the accuracy of its auto white balance system under artificial light, mainly due to the wealth of different lighting sources, each with their own characteristics. Yet, even in this troubled area the Pentax K-5 exceeds expectations, with an impressive level of accuracy under a range of artificial lighting, even under combinations of tungsten and fluorescent sources. </P><br /><P>The system does have an overall tendency to lean slightly towards the neutral rather than the faithful, which can be problematic if the warmth of a scene is to be retained, but a Colour Temperature Enhancement option is on hand to remedy this. The system also sometimes struggles under a mixture of natural and artificial light to produce a rather over-compensatory bluish cast, but realistically we should expect the odd error when there are so many combinations of lights under which it may ever be used. </P><br /><P>In daylight and other more typical conditions there's little to complain about, and with the default Bright colour option colours are generally pleasing and life- like.</P><br /><P><STRONG>ISO Test</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="ISO main" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%20100%20small-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG><BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>1/15sec at f/11, ISO 100 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%20100.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 80" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%2080%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 80 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%2080.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 100" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%20100%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 100 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%20100.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 200" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%20200%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 200 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%20200.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%20400%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 400 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%20400.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 800" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%20800%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 800 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%20800.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 1600" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%201600%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 1600 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%201600.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 3200" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%203200%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 3200 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%203200.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 12800" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%2012800%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 12,800 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%2012800.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 25600" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%2025600%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 25,600 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%2025600.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="ISO 52100" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/iso%2052100%20crop-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>ISO 52,100 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/iso%2052100.jpg">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="Sample 1" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/Tree%20small-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>12mm, f/8, ISO 200 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/Tree.JPG">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="Sample 2" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/black%20and%20white%20small-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>50mm, f/4, ISO 800 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/black%20and%20white.JPG">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="Samsple 3" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>85mm, f/4, ISO 200 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/_IGP0716.JPG">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><img alt="Samsple 4" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/portrait%201%20small-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>200mm, f/5.6, ISO 400 (<a href="http://www.photoradar.com/files/articles/Pentax%20K5/portrait%201.JPG">Click to view full size image</A>)</P><br /><P><STRONG>1. Canon EOS 60D</STRONG></P><br /><P>Price - £899<BR>Our Score - 4/5</P><br /><P>Canon's latest EOS model has the advantage of an 18MP sensor and a 1,040,000dot articulating<BR>LCD screen</P><br /><P><STRONG>2. Nikon D7000</STRONG></P><br /><P>Price - £1089<BR>Our Score – 3/5</P><br /><P>Nikon's newest DX-format body combines a 16.2MP CMOS sensor with a 39-point AF system and full-HD movie recording</P><br /><P><STRONG>3. Olympus E-5</STRONG></P><br /><P>Price - £1500<BR>Our Score - Currently being tested</P><br /><P>The E-system's latest addition boasts a dust- and splash-proof body, as well an articulating LCD screen and built-in wireless flash functionality</P><br /><P><img alt="Pentax k-5" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/PhotoRadar/Pentax%20K-5/k-5%204-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The Pentax K-5 is a highly-specified and immensely enjoyable camera to use, and one which can easily withstand an array of photographic challenges.</P><br /><P>It is hard to imagine how its menu system and the controls round its body could be presented any better, but perhaps its finest quality is its willingness to help the photographer out through the numerous and often unexpected interventions, particularly when finding correct focus, or appropriate colour and white balance settings.</P><br /><P>Though its body handles well and offers many direct functions for immediate access, improvements could nevertheless be made to make some of these less awkward. It's also unavoidable that the Pentax K-7's similar proposition can be had for around £300 less than the current Pentax K-5 price, but after the usual price drop following a camera's release this may become less of an issue. </P><br /><P>Either way, by not entirely changing a winning formula but simply making it a little better, Pentax has delivered a competent contender when you compare the K-5 vs D7000 and K-5 vs Canon 60D.</P><br /><P>Overall, the Pentax K-5 marries a well-rounded specification list with a stellar performance, and stands as an ideal upgrade to Pentax's previous DSLRs.</P><br /><P>Features: 4/5<BR>Build quality: 4/5<BR>Image Quality: 4/5<BR>Value: 3/5<BR>Overall: 4/5</P>

Review: Pentax K-5

Pentax is by no means the most prolific DSLR manufacturer, and quite how it plays its hand is not always predictable. Nevertheless, followin...

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